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Show Entered, according to Act of Congrcs~, in the year 1800, by L. ~fARIA CHII,D, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of lho District of MassachMtttta, STEREOTYPED AT TilE BOSTON c:I'EL~O'l'YPK FOUNDRY, PREFACE BY THE AUTHOR. READER, be assured this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of my adventures may seem Incredible; but they are, nevertheless, strictly true. I have not exaggerated tho wrongs inflicted by Slavery; on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts. I have concealed tho names of places, and given persons fictitious names. I had no motive for secrecy on my O\Vn account, but I deemed it kind and considerate to·wards others to pursue thi course. I 'vish I 'vere more competent to the task I have undertaken. But I trust my readers ·will excuse deficiencies in consideration of circutnstancos. I \vas born and renred in Slavery; and I retnained in a Slave State t\venty-seven years. Since I have been at the North, it has been necessnry for me to \Vork diligently for my 'children. make up for my own support, and the education of This has not left me 1nuch leisure to the loss of early opportunities to im-prove myself; and it has compelled me to \Vrite these pages at irregular intervals, whenever I could snatch an hour fro1u household duties. (5) I I I!V ' qTv n:: ! IT I. H UBRARI- |